Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-23

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The pie charts below show exports from various EU countries to India and China in 2000 and 2011.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

EU Exports of Goods to India and China in 2000 and 2011

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Goods from EU countries are very valued and needed in underdeveloped countries such as India and China. In 2000, most of the goods were exported from the United Kingdom to India, which was at 29%, but that eventually decreased to 13% the very next year. In 2011, Germany became the country with the highest value of goods exported to India, which was at 25%. On the other hand, in China, 38% of goods were exported from Germany, which was the highest percentage, and Germany remained the top country to export from the year 2011 too, increasing to 48%. The countries that exported very few goods to both India and China are Austria, Spain, and Finland, as well as Sweden, and all of them exported approximately 1% to 3% of goods in both the years 2000 and 2011. Both years and in both countries, Austria exported the least goods, making the country almost invisible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the data, such as the shifts in export percentages for the UK and Germany. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The student incorrectly states that the UK's 29% share in 2000 decreased to 13% 'the very next year,' whereas the data represents 2011. This misinterpretation of the time frame is a significant error. Furthermore, the response lacks a clear overview or summary statement that highlights the overall trends across the two periods. While the main features are identified, the lack of a cohesive summary and the factual error regarding the timeline prevent a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is presented as a single paragraph, which is not ideal for an IELTS Task 1 report. While there is a logical progression from India to China, the lack of paragraphing makes the text feel cluttered. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the other hand' and 'In 2011,' but the transitions between sentences are sometimes mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure lacks the sophisticated organization expected at higher bands. To improve, the student should group information into distinct paragraphs, perhaps one for each destination country or one for the main trends and one for the minor details.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'very valued and needed' are somewhat informal and imprecise. The student relies on repetitive structures such as 'exported from' and 'highest percentage.' There is an attempt to use descriptive language, but it is limited. For example, describing a country as 'almost invisible' is not appropriate for a formal data report. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise terminology related to trends and data, such as 'fluctuated,' 'accounted for,' or 'experienced a significant decline.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'the very next year' instead of 'by 2011' and 'exported the least goods' (should be 'exported the fewest goods'). The sentence 'Both years and in both countries, Austria exported the least goods' is slightly awkward. While the errors do not generally impede communication, the range of structures is limited, and the accuracy is inconsistent. More complex sentence forms, such as using relative clauses or passive voice more effectively, would improve the score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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